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Sunday, March 20, 2011

Indulgences. . . .

by Cheryl Brooks

We're discussing indulgence this month here on the Casa Babe Blog, but I must admit, I had a hard time deciding what to write for this post. Since I am now writing for two publishers, work a full-time job, have a family, two horses and other assorted pets, I have lost sight of what it truly means to indulge myself. My life consists of fulfilling the needs of others.

Not that I'm complaining. I love writing, and I love my family and all that goes along with caring for them, but now that I am faced with the task of writing this piece, I realize that hidden somewhere beneath the daily grind, I have a dream. A dream that stays with me even when I'm giving pain meds, changing dirty linens, and emptying bedpans. A dream that calls to me when I'm in the middle of writing one of those hot love scenes. Or feeding my horses. Or fixing dinner.

It's a huge dream, and one that would require some major remodeling. But it isn't a pool or a hot tub or my own personal office. No, what I want is a bathroom of my very own. My own soaps (which are my current indulgence), my own towels, my own door, my own sink, my own bathtub with a detachable shower head. And, yes, my own toilet--one that I don't have to get off of until I'm good and ready. Which leads me to the most important part of this dream: having the time to spend in there, uninterrupted, never leaving until I have performed all of my self-pampering ablutions.

Hotel bathrooms come close, but they don't have the same water, the same places to put my favorite soaps, my razor, my towels. No, what I want is one in my own house that I designed myself, according to my every preference and even a few of my whims. Actually, I've already done it once, and I love what we did with it. (And, no, that is NOT a picture of our bathroom!) Our one and only bathroom is a little taste of Italy. Italian flooring, deep green walls, terra cotta-colored towels, elegant fixtures, one of Van Gogh's Italian landscapes on the wall, etc, but I'm always in a hurry whenever I'm in there. On my way to work, or out the door to an appointment, or as usually happens, hurrying because someone else is waiting in line.

I realize that I'm very lucky in that my family is all male, because if I had daughters, my indulgence time would truly be nonexistent. I'm thinking that the next time I need to be pampered, the best thing would be to send my guys to a movie and stay home, indulging myself in my scented soaps and fresh, fluffy towels.

25 comments:

I am not one for pampering but I found a quick easy face mask which is supposed to be for wrinkles but I find it exfoliates and leaves your face feeling soft and fresh. What is it you ask - Mashed banana. DO NOT try if allergic to them.I have one most days for breakfastand when I want to do my face I save about 1/2-1 inch which can even be the bruised bit. Mash until smooth and creamy add a few drops of lemon if likely to have any left over to preserve the colour and it will keep in the fridge for a week or so.Apply liberally to face. leave for 15-20 minutes then rinse with warm water then splash with cold. Avoid getting in your hair as it will dry hard. I have done the face mask then got in our cross trainer for a short session then washed off. I have also done before running a bath and washing my hair - gets rid of any banana you miss.If you have bananas at home anyway the extra cost to you is Zero.I do love a good deal.

What a wonderful post! You brought up a good point. It's not enough to have that bathroom, you need the time to indulge. I can't remember the last time I splurged on a bubblebath. It's always autilitarian shower, never to just relax and savor.

@ Terry. There was a bathroom like that in a hotel I stayed in once, but, of course, it was a sort of condo and I wasn't staying in that room. I did take a bath in the big tub, but it completely emptied the hot water heater and no one else could take a shower for a while!

@Joanne. I love my soaps. Once you've used the expensive ones, you'll never want to go back!

@Mary G. Yeah, the time is the main thing. I just sat down to pay my bills this morning and realized I was late on at least one of them, not because I didn't have the money, but because I'd gotten too busy to pay it!

That bathroom was gorgeous. Mine is so tiny, with just a cramped shower. The second bathroom is small as well. I would love to have a fancy bathroom with maybe a Jacuzzi. I hope you get your dream bathroom very soon.

Ahhh... the thought of a nice luxurious spa bathroom would be wonderful if any of us actually had the time to spend in it. I wouldn't mind a replica of that bath in my house! I could spend hours in that tub with bubbles, a nice glass of wine, a good book, maybe even a cozy bathroom fireplace...

Until of course reality sets in and I realize I'm late for something, sweating to death and have to get out after only 15 minutes!

One bathroom? How do you make that work? I cannot even imagine. I complain because we have two. The house we're moving to next weekend has 3.5. There are only 3 of us, so if you come and visit, you're welcome to have one all to yourself!

I hope that positive thought thing works for me, Tracey. Now all I have to do is remember to keep at it!

Our current bathroom is fairly large and has two sinks in it, Anita, but the one we had before was about half that size, so I can certainly feel your pain. It was VERY small, and no way could two people fit in there at once unless one of them was in the bathtub.

That's part of my problem too, Noelle. No time!

It can be done Shana, but it's a bit uncomfortable at times! At least we don't have to run outside to the portable toilet, which was what we had to use during the remodeling project. That was no fun at all!

When we lived in Wyoming, my DH and I added a master suite on to our house, so we got to design a "fantasy" bath. It had an over-sized whirlpool tub, separate shower, a wall of glass bricks and in a real moment of indulgence, we added a stained glass window. It was fitting because the room really was a religious experience!

I still miss that biffy. Good luck in your quest for one of your own, Cheryl.

I understand your wanting to send the family to the movies for some indulgence time for yourself. A friend told me yesterday she understood why a mother would spend so much time in the bathroom. It is the only place she could get some time for herself away from her family. Everyone needs time for themselves to renew their minds.